Courtenay veteran receives commendation

Ron Webber has received a commendation from the Minister of Veterans Affairs, awarded to those who have performed service to the veteran community or who represent role models to fellow veterans.

"I was quite shocked," said Webber, a former Courtenay mayor and alderman. "I guess somebody recognized and put my name to Ottawa."

Born and raised in Courtenay, Webber served in the Canadian Scottish Regiment Reserve for two years before serving in the Canadian Army with the 2nd Battalion of the Black Watch of Gagetown, N.B. He was honourary colonel of the 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Comox for seven years.

"I did a red flag parade down the main street when I was honourary colonel," said Webber, who also co-organized a charity plane pull at the base to raise funds for the B.C. Lions Society for Children with Disabilities.

He is considering another plane pull, possibly at the Airpark, in the form of a supermarket challenge.

A 48-year member of the Courtenay Legion, Webber chaired the Legion Memorial Wall of Recognition committee that organized photo murals on the side of the Sid Williams Theatre. The photos honour past and present Canadian military members and peacekeepers, including women and First Nations. After five years of persistence and hard work, the Wall of Recognition dedication ceremony was held in 2011.

Webber served nearly 20 years as the Courtenay Legion's Nov. 11 Remembrance Day chair.

As well, he served with the Comox Valley Lion's Club, the Glacier View Lodge board and the Comox Valley Community Foundation. He is also a lifetime member of the Comox Valley Hospice Society.

On Saturday, he will receive a Queen's Jubilee medal from Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan.

"I'm on a roll here," Webber said.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com

We encourage an open exchange of ideas on this story's topic, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. Personal attacks, inappropriate language, and off-topic comments may be removed, and comment privileges revoked, per our Terms of Use. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.